Gunman kills two at San Francisco jewelry market

SAN FRANCISCO — A gunman killed two women at a San Francisco jewelry market on Friday and shot at police before fleeing, prompting lockdowns at major technology companies nearby, police officials said.

The gunman threw down his gun and surrendered at a nearby Mexican restaurant after running out of ammunition, said San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr.

“We do not know at this time what the motive for this horrendous crime was,” Suhr said. Police initially thought there had been a robbery at the Gift Center and Jewelry Mart.

The gunman also carried a knife but police did not say whether the victims were shot or stabbed.

Advertisement

The gunfire in the city’s South of Market neighborhood prompted online ticketing service Eventbrite and social media site Pinterest, among other local tech firms, to place their buildings on lockdown.

The area, once a light industrial district and has in recent years become a stronghold of the booming social media industry.

Suhr said the gunman opened fire at the first officers who responded. He was bleeding as he left the multi-story jewelry market, he said.

A third person, a man, was wounded by gunfire and hospitalized in stable condition, Suhr said.

Initial reports that the shooting had taken place at an REI store near the jewelry market were incorrect.

“We want to ensure you that customers & employees inside our San Francisco store are safe. Our thoughts are with the shooting victims,” the recreational equipment company said on Twitter.